Bernard served in the RAF Police from 1956 to 1959 following which he pursued a very successful career in the Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service. He joined the RAF Police Association in 1996 and is a Life Member. Shortly after joining the Association he became the Area Representative for the East Midlands very quickly organising the Area with the result that the East Midlands Branch was formed in August 1996 with Bernard becoming its first Secretary; he also became a very valued member of the Association Executive Council.

In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the East Midlands Branch Bernard became the third recipient of the Alan Rusling Memorial Award in 2000.

Bernard continued as Branch Secretary for several years as is the current Branch Chairman. He was elected as Association Vice-Chairman in 2001 and served until 2003 when he was elected as Association Chairman remaining in office until 2007. Bernard has also served on the Association Board of Trustees and is still a very active member of the RAF Police Memorial Committee.